BBC CYMRU WALES SPORT PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR 2009
Winner announcement: BBC Wales Today Date: Monday, 7 December, BBC ONE Wales, 1830-1900 GMT
Full award programme: Tuesday, 8 December, BBC ONE Wales, 2235-2335 GMT

Ex-Welsh international Ryan Giggs continues to defy his years as he remains hugely influential for Manchester United.

Giggs has won the adoration of home fans and respect of rival supporters throughout the world during an outstanding career

Cardiff-born Giggs has outstripped Old Trafford legend Bobby Charlton's club appearance record of 758 and has now played more than 800 games for the club since making his debut as a 17-year-old in 1991.

One of the few signs that Giggs is to turn 36 on 29 November is that in the last season he has switched from winger to central midfield, but he has yet to find himself usurped by a younger player.

The former Welsh international's standing among his fellow professionals is also a huge mark of respect for his evergreen talents.

Giggs was named Professional Footballers Association's Players' Player of the Year Year for 2009 and named in the PFA's Team of the Year for the eighth time after helping the club win the Premier League with some typically influential displays.

The Player of the Year award came amid stiff opposition from team-mates Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Cristiano Ronaldo and Edwin van der Sar as well as Liverpool's Steven Gerrard.

The award had previously eluded the player, who went on to maintain his remarkable record of scoring in every one of the 19 Premier League seasons, including a fine hat-trick against Tottenham Hotspur in September to help him top 150 goals for his club.

Giggs remains a threat to defences and manager Sir Alex Ferguson has advised aspiring players to follow his protege's example of maintaining physical fitness and mental toughness.

Now in his 19th season with the club, he has won more team honours than any of his predecessors.

Among his many records and accolades, Giggs is the only Red Devil to have played in their 11 Premier League wins and the only player in the game to have won that number of titles.

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